Rage against ESPN

OK, so don’t get me wrong. I like ESPN. I have nothing against ESPN. Until last night when I got really mad at the announcers for the Cards-Phillies game. See, I don’t get to see Cards games much since I live in Atlanta Braves territory and a place where football is religion. So when I got to catch a few innings of last night’s game, I was ecstatic! Then, came the moment that sorta made me mad. So Taguchi, a Phillies player, but a former Cardinal, stepped up to the plate to bat. The Cardinal Nation stood to their feet and applauded. Not because of what he’d done; he hadn’t even swung the bat yet. But because of who he was: a former Cardinal and member of the World Series team. The announcer said, “They’re giving him a standing ovation. So Taguchi, the former Cardinal. They remember!”

They remember? Um, sir, have you ever been to St. Louis? Do you know how deep Cardinal fandom runs in our veins in Missouri? Do you not know that St. Louis is a baseball town? They remember?! Of course, we remember. That’s the kind of fans we are. The ones who remember former teammates, who cheer for Jim Edmonds even though he’s a Cub, and who wish David Eckstein the absolute best. We don’t forget. And when someone gives themselves and their talent to our team, we don’t let it go unnoticed.

So don’t act surprised that the St. Louis fans remembered and cheered for So Taguchi. We don’t forget.

Do a little more research next time, buddy. St. Louis is a baseball town. You might say that about Chicago or Boston or wherever, and it’s true. But it’s a different level in St. Louis. We love our team, but we love the game more.

And in honor of So Taguchi: I say, let’s go, So!